Big Match Breakdown: Brighton v West Ham

Odds and tips for Friday night football

This weekend’s Premier League gets underway early, with Brighton hosting West Ham United this evening in a Friday night clash.

The Hammers are on a high following their excellent 3-1 win over Manchester United last weekend.

But Chris Hughton’s Seagulls have proven themselves more than capable of holding their own at the Amex.

It’s all live on Sky Sports Premier League tonight, with kick-off at 8.00. Before that though, the Coral News Team are ready to go with the Big Match Breakdown…

Head-to-Head

Despite their first meeting dating back to 1923, this will be only the 23rd meeting between the sides. The record reads 10 wins to West Ham, versus seven to Brighton.

Last season’s matches saw the Seagulls win 3-0 at the London Stadium, before bagging another trio of goals in a 3-1 win in February.

But they head into tonight’s game without a win in five league games, whereas the Manuel Pellegrini’s men seek a third win in four.

Likely XIs

Pellegrini should be able to call upon largely the same side which downed Man United a week ago.

That means Marko Arnautovic up front. Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko will look to provide support. The latter could miss out through a minor knock, so Michail Antonio or Robert Snodgrass could step in.

Mark Noble pulled the strings in midfield last week, and should pair up with Pedro Obiang in the middle again.

For the hosts, Glenn Murray could get a recall having been benched for their loss to Manchester City. The 35-year-old striker’s nous could cause the Hammers problems.

Anthony Knockaert and Davy Propper should provide the Seagulls’ creativity.

Key Battles

Both sides like to play football on the deck. But in recent weeks West Ham have shown a pace and flair which has swept both Everton and Man United aside.

That will be Brighton’s initial problem. Can they keep Anderson and Yarmolenko (if fit) quiet?

The Seagulls can’t allow Noble time on the ball either. United did so last week and were punished.

Up front, Murray’s experience and nous should enable him to pressurise and frustrate the Hammers’ defence. He’ll need Knockaert to have some joy down the flanks though.

Match Odds

The Coral traders can barely call this one. Brighton edge favouritism at 13/8, but the Irons are 33/20. A draw is available at 21/10.

Both sides have found the net in four of each team’s seven league games this term. Brighton have netted in nine of their last 10 at home too, and it’s 4/5 for both keepers to be beaten tonight.

Murray is the 4/1favourite to score first. The Seagulls striker already has four goals this term, and is their penalty taker.

Arnautovic heads up West Ham’s first goalscorer odds at 9/2, ahead of Javier Hernandez at 5/1 and Yarmolenko at 6s.

And it’s worth noting that West Ham’s last two league wins finished 3-1. They’re 17/2 to win with over 3.5 goals scored, while it’s 22/1 for another 3-1 victory.